Student exhibition impresses

Students from Flexible Learning Centres across northeast Victoria are hosting an art exhibition in Benalla for two weeks.

With an array of mediums and styles on offer, there is something to pique everyone’s interest.

And with many pieces available to buy, this is your opportunity to pick up some art, potentially from a future master, while it is still affordable.

All artists, whether they be Van Gough, Picasso or Banksy, start off as students.

The exhibition, Inspire Within, which is on show at Bridge St Studios, features work created in the past two years by students of Flexible Learning Centres in Benalla, Shepparton and Wodonga.

Benalla Flexible Learning Centre art teacher and learning specialist Sharee Fisher said she was delighted the exhibition could take place.

“Every year we try and do an exhibition, whether in Benalla or across the network as a whole,” Ms Fisher said.

“COVID-19 had prevented us doing one last year, so this year we decided to do a collaborative exhibition.

“There’s work from Wodonga, as well as Shepparton and Benalla Flexible Learning Centres.

“We set it all up last week and on Thursday afternoon when we were putting it all up on the wall, with the plan to come back Friday morning to finish off, everything got locked down.

“Lockdowns have made things challenging but we’re up and running now for the next two weeks.”

Ms Fisher said the exhibition was open to any student across the three campuses to take part in.

“There’s heaps of different mediums. We’ve got some tiedyed T-shirts, silk paintings, mosaics, basically anything you can think of, we’ve got it here.

“We have about 70 students’ work on display and they are super excited because this gives them an opportunity to display their work, be a part of the community, and get some feedback. The exhibitions we’ve had in the past have been really successful and we’ve sold a number of paintings.

“It’s really great for the kids to know that their work has value and that the community embraces it.”

Benalla Flexible Learning Centre principal Brad Hearn said he was proud of the students’ efforts.

“I think it’s really good that they’ve brought in a lot of what has inspired them and what has helped them, especially during this challenging time,” Mr Hearn said.

“I think all of the kids have been able to really showcase their student voice and give us a bit of an insight into their metacognition and what’s going on for them.”

The Inspire Within exhibition will be on display at Bridge St Studios — 122 Bridge St, Benalla — until Friday, August 20. Entry is free.